So? After numerous visits to the doctor, several x rays, a CAT scan, and more bills than we care to count. It turns out that Zachary has hamstring contractures, which is an abnormal shortening of muscle tissue, rendering the muscle highly resistant to stretching. A contracture can lead to permanent disability. It can be caused by fibrosis of the tissues supporting the muscle or the joint, or by disorders of the muscle fibers themselves.
We believe this was caused by the accident but aren't sure. We think that when he had the cast on his leg he kept his legs bent while using the walker and that the muscles tightened up on him and because this was not diagnosed sooner and he has grown since the accident is has caused the bones to lengthen leaving the muscles at their shortened state. It makes sense and as I was doing research I came across this definition, an abnormal, usually permanent condition of a joint, characterized by flexion and fixation. It may be caused by atrophy and shortening of muscle fibers resulting from immobilization or by loss of the normal elasticity of connective tissues or the skin, as from the formation of extensive scar tissue over a joint, which seems to confirm our theory. Zachary is unable to lay down on his back and lift his legs (yes, both of them, the leg that was casted is worse than the other one) straight up, without bending them. He has scheduled appointments through the end on this month to see a physical therapist three times a week and has to be stretched twice a day at home. So? finally a diagnoses for his constant reoccurring pain. Thank goodness! He is in a lot of pain now because of the stretching but we are in hopes that it will ease up as he has more range of motion in his legs.
